Lee Jae-myung, 61, the presidential candidate of the liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), was elected as Korea’s 21st president. He achieved a change of government after three years in an early presidential election held following the second presidential impeachment in the country’s constitutional history. This was his third attempt at the presidency. The result is interpreted as a reflection of the public’s judgment on the illegal imposition of martial law by former President Yoon Suk-yeol on December 3 of last year. After his victory was confirmed, Lee met with supporters in front of his home in Gyeyang-gu, Incheon, saying, “I pay respect to the great decision of the people,” and pledged, “I will do my utmost to carry out the great responsibility and mission so as not to disappoint the expectations of the people.”

Lee now carries the heavy responsibility of healing a deeply divided society after the martial law declaration and overcoming both domestic and international challenges related to trade and security. With the backing of a giant ruling party holding 170 seats in the National Assembly, it is expected that he will quickly advance various national policy agendas.

As of 1 a.m. on June 4, the National Election Commission announced that 73.1 percent of votes had been counted across 254 counting centers nationwide, with Lee receiving 48.5 percent of the votes.

Kim Moon-soo, the presidential candidate from the conservative People Power Party (PPP), came in second with 42.9 percent, trailing Lee by 5.6 percentage points. Lee Jun-seok of the minor conservative New Reform Party received 7.5 percent, and Kwon Young-gook of the progressive Democratic Labor Party received 0.9 percent.

According to exit polls jointly announced by the three major broadcasters, including KBS, MBC, and SBS, right after the polls closed at 8 p.m. on the 3rd, Lee Jae-myung secured 51.7 percent of the vote, leading Kim’s 39.3 percent by 12.4 percentage points. Notably, Lee led in all regions except Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province (TK) and Busan and South Gyeongsang Province (PK).

This outcome is analyzed as a result of widespread public condemnation of Yoon’s illegal imposition of martial law across the country. The final count showed Lee winning first place in 11 out of 17 cities and provinces.

Lee received overwhelming support in the Honam region, which has traditionally been a stronghold of the DPK. Lee won 85.0 percent of the vote in Gwangju, 83.4 percent in North Jeolla Province, and 86.0 percent in South Jeolla Province. Even in Busan, Ulsan, and South Gyeongsang Province, where conservative support is strong, he received higher support than in the previous presidential election. Lee secured 38.5 percent of the vote in Busan, 41.7 percent in Ulsan, and 38.1 percent in South Gyeongsang Province. However, in the Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province region, Kim secured 71.4 percent and 67.7 percent of the vote, respectively, outperforming Lee.

In the Chungcheong region, often considered a barometer of public sentiment in elections, Lee also surpassed Kim. He earned 47.0 percent in South Chungcheong Province and 46.7 percent in North Chungcheong Province, higher than Kim’s 45.0 percent and 44.9 percent. Even in Seoul, where former President Yoon had strong support in the 20th presidential election, Lee led with 47.3 percent, compared to Kim’s 42.2 percent.

Lee will begin his five-year presidential term once the National Election Commission officially declares him the winner of the election on the morning of the 4th. He is expected to announce appointments for the prime minister nominee, presidential secretary, national security chief, and key senior secretaries as early as that day.

Kim Min-seok, a senior member of the DPK's Supreme Council, is a leading candidate for prime minister, and Kang Hoon-sik, a DPK lawmaker, is likely to be appointed as presidential secretary. Kim, a four-term lawmaker, is regarded as a key strategist within the party. Kang, a three-term lawmaker considered neutral, served as a director of the party’s campaign operation in this election.

In the early hours of the day, Kim Moon-soo visited the PPP headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, and said, “I humbly accept the people’s choice,” adding, “Congratulations to the elected candidate Lee Jae-myung.”